ABSTRACT
Samuel Johnson once projected a history of criticism “as it relates to judging of authors.” Had the great eighteenth-century critic ever carried out his intention, he would have included some interesting comments on the orators and their judges. Upon the great figures of the past who have used the art of public address, countless judgments have been given. These judgments have varied with the bias and preoccupation of the critics, who have been historians, biographers, or literary men, and have written accordingly. Embedded in biographies and histories of literature, authors find another type of criticism, that which combines the sketch of mind and character with some discussion of style. The psychology of mystical experience may appear a poor support for the study of style. It is but one factor of many, and Stephenson may justly be reproached for leaning too heavily upon it.
